Henry Hill suffered from undiagnosed attention deficit disorder and learning difficulties as a child. In The Real Goodfella one of his fawning character witnesses suggested that only 'a rare person would have risen above those things'. Hill was not that rare person, so instead he joined the mafia and became an extortionist, an armed robber, a drug dealer and an accomplice to murder.

You know how it is with hyperactive kids: first they won't sit down at dinner, and next they're hijacking and burying people somewhere in the swamps of New Jersey. At the return from the commercial break, you half-expected to hear the words: 'Sponsored by Ritalin'.

Hill is the hood-turned-informer on whom Martin Scorsese based his mafia epic Goodfellas. A long-term alcoholic who has also served his time with cocaine and heroin, Hill never actually said anything that made any sense. If you listened very carefully it was possible to pick out the occasional non-expletive in Hill's conversation - words like 'the' and 'and' and 'it' - though their presence in a sentence often seemed gratuitous, needlessly breaking up the kind of infelicitous sequences of profanity of which Gordon Ramsay could only dream.

There were a few statements about how violence horrified him. But these were cursory and self-serving and so it was left to his various biographers, including Scorsese, to fill in the gaping holes. But no one displayed much appetite for that job, preferring instead to endorse the myth they had so profitably helped to create. Amid the hype and excited tales of Hill's psychopathic former associates, it was possible to glean that Hill was a minor sleazebag who used to hang around with major sleazebags. Even living under the witness protection scheme in Nebraska failed to inhibit Hill's criminal activities. From this we were meant to gather that he was a loveable, if incorrigible, rogue rather than, say, an opportunistic rat.

Many of the same cast of mafia observers in The Real Goodfella also turned up in The Godfather and the Mob and The Real Sopranos, the two other films in what Channel 4 billed as its Mob Week. They all shared the same narrator, the same theme of the interplay between the real-life mafia and Hollywood's fictional version, and were produced by the same production company.

The subject boasts enough history to warrant a documentary series but these programmes taken together lacked sufficient material to add up to one decent documentary, much less three. Like Hill, they fell victim to ADD, jumping from one event to another idea without ever establishing the basics of the story they were trying to tell. One moment, for example, we were told the mafia doesn't deal with hard drugs because it's too risky, the next that it's their main business.

It was symptomatic of the general inconsistency and indifference to detail that in some shots Hill spoke with a full set of gleaming white teeth, while in others they were as missing as Jimmy Hoffa. Had they been removed between takes by some vengeful mafia enforcer with a pair of domestic pliers? We never found out. But the toothless Hill summed up the production: all mouth and no bite.

Violence was very much the topic of the week on Channel Four. Britain's Yobs aimed to get to grips with the growing problem of teenage anti-social behaviour and street assaults. To this end the camera crew drove up to gangs of hoodies and asked them what they were doing out at night. For some reason, none of them said that they were waiting to engage in random acts of violence on innocent passersby.

Another candidate for Ritalin prescription, the film rushed around the country looking for action or a thesis or something that might lend it a sense of purpose. But it never stayed anywhere long enough to find out what it was that it wanted to find out.

Teenage street crime is a complex issue inextricably bound up with the unwillingness of adults to feel, never mind take, civic responsibility. No documentary could expect to unearth the golden solution to this gathering crisis. The very least it ought to do, however, is question received wisdoms. Long before a group of adolescent boys were interviewed around a pool table telling the camera that if it wasn't for the youth club they'd be on the streets committing crime, the filmmakers made it clear that they preferred to reach for the nearest cliché.

JESUS SAID TO THEM, "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. HE WHO COMES TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER THIRST." ( JOHN 6:35 *NKJV )

Dear Charles, We eat bread to satisfy our hunger and nourish our human bodies. To nourish our spiritual bodies, we need Jesus, for it is written; JESUS SAID "WHOEVER DRINKS THIS WATER WILL THIRST AGAIN, BUT WHOEVER DRINKS OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM WILL NEVER THIRST. BUT THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM WILL BECOME IN HIM A FOUNTAIN OF WATER SPRINGING UP UNTO EVERLASTING LIFE." ( JOHN 4:13-14 )

You see Charles, our spiritual food is the Word of God, and Jesus is that Word, for it is written; THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. ( JOHN 1:14 )

Now there is a restaurant that specializes in Spiritual Food right in your own neighborhood. It is also very easy to find, and it's name is your local Church. A five star Spiritual Meal should be served there every Sunday morning! You won't need a reservation, just stop by and tell them that Pastor Allen sent you. Amen.

FLAVORx, Inc the company that sets the industry gold standard for medicinal flavoring has developed a method to help ADHD and ADD patients swallow their medications. Stimulant drugs that are commonly used to treat ADHD are only commercially available in pill form. However, FLAVORx has successfully converted these pills into liquid medication that can be easily flavored and readily accepted by young patients that have difficulty swallowing pills. Converting pills to liquid also helps overcome drug interaction or rejection from children when medications are mixed with food. With over 42 flavors, FLAVORx is sure to please any taste bud.

Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) May 3, 2006 -- The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 3-7% of children suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADHD and ADD are two of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and frequently persist into adulthood. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that roughly 2.5 million youth ages 4-17 were currently receiving medication for treatment of these disorders. Therefore, it is not surprising that FLAVORx, the company dedicated to offering palatable solutions to hard-to-swallow medicines, has developed a method to convert ADHD and ADD medications from pills and capsules to a liquid form. In this way, medications can be easily flavored and readily accepted by even the youngest and most stubborn of patients. The company has received many phone calls from ADHD patients and families that are relieved to have finally found a service that provides a liquid that allows children to successfully accept crucial medications.

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Recent research suggests that an effective long-term approach to treating ADHD and ADD may lie in combining medical and behavioral therapies. The National Institute of Mental Health recently conducted an intensive study to evaluate treatment of ADHD. The results of the study indicated that combination therapies (behavioral and medical) and medication management alone yielded better results than intensive behavioral treatment alone or routine community therapy. While each case is unique to the child (or adult); stimulant medications may be prescribed and are considered very safe and effective. The most commonly prescribed medications are Ritalin, Adderrall, Concerta and Dexedrine, which are all commercially prepared as pills. FLAVORx researchers have developed formulations to convert these pills to a suspension form that can be easily manipulated into flavors such as Grape, Bubblegum and Strawberry. However, as with all medications, treatment for ADHD and ADD symptoms should be discussed thoroughly with a healthcare practitioner to determine the necessity for medication, as well as the proper medication and dosage for the patient.

Currently, because these stimulant medications are not commercially available in liquid form, most patients and families affected by ADHD and ADD are not aware that these pills can be converted to liquid form quite readily. For young patients, pills can be particularly hard to swallow. Therefore, FLAVORx established this specialty service to help these young patients that may be started on stimulant drugs as early as the age of three. Through performing stability and compatibility studies and taste-testing by panel and focus groups, FLAVORx established successful formulas to convert these pills to liquid form and also add flavors that would mask the medication’s existing taste. According to FLAVORx President and CEO Kenny Kramm, "With this added service we can provide ADHD patients with an alternative that is safe and easy to use. Our mission now is to spread the word about this added service so that ADHD patients are aware that they don't have to continue to struggle with pills."

The main characteristics of ADHD and ADD affliction are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD and ADD results when not enough dopamine (a neurotransmitter) is delivered to the brain. The body then tries to compensate for this loss by finding ways to stimulate its release by using movement, physical activity or other stimulus to engage and interest the brain. This is why many children that suffer from ADHD or ADD “can’t sit still” or act disruptive, daydream, seem disorganized or are easily distracted. Unfortunately, these behaviors could lead to academic underachievement, lack of social skills and could interfere with relationships, employment or completing an education down the line. It is possible that other disorders may accompany ADHD and ADD such as other learning disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, anxiety and depression and bipolar disorder.

Sadly, many ADD and ADHD families and patients may feel embarrassed by their conditions and at times may be mislabeled, ridiculed and discounted as troublemakers or misfits. However, children and adults who suffer from AD/HD should actually keep in mind that their differences are something to embrace. Some of the greatest minds such as Ernest Hemingway, Beethoven and Einstein are thought to have had ADD or ADHD.

FLAVORx prides itself as the industry’s leader in scientifically-tested and specifically developed flavorings for medicine and has flavored over 60 million medications over the last 10 years. The system is currently available nationwide in over 37,000 pharmacies such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite-Aid to name a few.

Yes, it's sacrificial lamb on the barbie and his name is Chisholm Pothier.

The well-liked press secretary for Premier Bernard Lord resigned this week after he released a letter sent to Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud by Miramichi Bay Liberal MLA Carmel Robichaud on behalf of a constituent.

Carmel Robichaud was asking the minister to essentially interfere with a court decision to ban her constituent from driving for a period of 18 months due to a drunk driving conviction. The man wanted to drive to work and was seeking an exemption from the court order.

And what was Chisholm's big mistake? He released the letter to the media without blacking out the man's name.

Gotta love those privacy laws, huh?

Sleuth has known Chisholm for nearly 10 years and this old gumshoe has been known to associate with some low-life types in order to dig up the best dirt. Chisholm Pothier is no low-life; he's about as honest a person as you will find in Fredericton.

Sleuth hears Chisholm's noble decision to resign has created quite a buzz in the capital. As a former reporter, Chisholm knew exactly what journalists need to do their job; he was as accommodating as a premier's press secretary could be to the media while serving his boss first.

He's also a guy who took a leave of absence last year to volunteer with the Red Cross in the southern U.S. areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Years before that, he and a buddy went to Quebec City for the G8 Summit where they ran the gauntlet between flying tear gas canisters thrown by protesters.

He was a political junkie without being political - if that's possible.

Now he's gone and Sleuth hears the phones are already starting to ring with offers for his services. Don't be surprised if Chisholm lands a plum role in Ottawa, working as a press secretary for a federal minister or department. He's become extremely well-connected during his three years as Lord's right-hand man and he won't be on the EI line long enough to collect his first cheque.

Meanwhile, what about the Liberal MLA who asked government to interfere with a Criminal Code conviction? Didn't she commit the larger mistake in this fiasco? Shouldn't we all be more alarmed by that breach of conduct instead of the release of a letter from a man whose drunk driving conviction was already on the public record?

INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME, AND COME TO ME. HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE; AND I WILL MAKE AN EVER- LASTING COVENANT WITH YOU. ( ISAIAH 55:3 *NKJV )

Dear Charles, Our Heavenly Father appears to us in many different ways, and often we may not even notice. So today, I wish to share with you a message that I received from a Subscriber, one of our Sister's In Christ. Therefore I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Now it is written; WHEN HE UTTERS HIS VOICE--THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF WATERS IN THE HEAVENS: "HE CAUSES THE VAPORS TO ASCEND FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH; HE MAKES LIGHTNING'S FOR THE RAIN; HE BRINGS THE WIND OUT OF HIS TREASURIES." For; THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS OVER THE WATERS; THE GOD OF GLORY THUNDERS. ( Jer 51:16 ) & ( Ps 29:3 )

Now, Today's Message...

The man whispered, "God, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang.

But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.

But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.

But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away ...and walked on.

The man cried, "God, I need your help!" And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying.

I have found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted .... even in our electronic age ...

So don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you, Charles.

ORAL QUESTIONS 21 QUESTIONS ORALESApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 1/11014 11:00Natural GasMr. S. Graham: My question this morning is for the Minister of Natural Resources. As we know,in New Brunswick, we have limited natural resources, and we try to value-add, to get the best valuein order to build the provincial economy. One area that has exciting potential, is, indeed, the findingof natural gas in the McCully Field area, within Kings County. I have had an opportunity to visit thesite on a number of occasions, and, today, I would like an update from the minister.The Oil and Natural Gas Act was last debated in this Legislature and passed in 1976. A number ofyears have passed since the Act was passed, and regulatory changes need to be updated.015 11:05I feel strongly that the time has come now, with the finding of natural gas in New Brunswick, thatwe need to update the current piece of legislation. I would like to ask the minister if he would beprepared to proceed with legislative changes on this important issue.Hon. Mr. Ashfield: Indeed, the McCully field is an exciting project that is under way in NewBrunswick, with some very positive results to date. We are currently reviewing the Act, and we willbe making updates to the Act in the very near future.Mr. S. Graham: That is the answer that we were looking for this morning. I appreciate the fact thatthe minister is reviewing the Act. Again, Corridor Resources is currently in the process of seekingout investors, with over $80 million, potentially, to be invested in this exciting project. That is whyit is so important that we move quickly on updating the royalty structure so that this will givesecurity to the investors as well in knowing what their return on investment will be.One of the areas that we should be looking at is the variable rate based on production, dependingon what the well is producing. Currently, as the legislation stands, a 10% royalty applies at thewellhead. Would the minister be willing to consider the suggestion that we are providing thismorning, that we look at a variable rate to increase the potential for investment in this excitingproject?Hon. Mr. Ashfield: Certainly, the McCully field is very important and will be an important projectin this province. In terms of the variable rate that the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting, we willcertainly take his suggestion into consideration.Mr. S. Graham: Again, I appreciate the fact that the minister is willing to take suggestions fromus this morning, because we, as a province, want to lead on this issue. That is why we feel stronglyHANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 2/11that a variable rate will allow increased capacity for more drilling to occur, and at the same time,it will increase the potential for greater investment in the Sussex corridor region.Another issue that we would also like to look at is a processing cost allowance. I think that theminister should take a look at that in the regulatory process. We are saying today that there is goingto be increased cost within this wellfield for a number of piping opportunities to tap into one areawhere they will have a compressing facility put in place and a cleaning of the gas with a dehydrationunit. There will be increased costs for having all of this piping in place. Could we look at a royaltyreduction to be put in place as a processing cost allowance?Hon. Mr. Ashfield: We are considering a number of options in the development and review of thisnew Act. Certainly, I am glad to take into consideration any suggestions that the Leader of theOpposition has. If he would like to sit down and talk about those, I would be willing to do that aswell.Mr. S. Graham: I feel that it is important for the public record that we give a clear indication to thestakeholders of where we are moving on this issue. The legislation has not been upgraded since1976. There has been a commitment for the past three years that we will be moving forward withthe legislation, but we now feel strongly that the time has come to be very proactive on this. Thatis why we are saying that we should be looking at an allowance for gas processing and piping, thepercentage allowance that I am talking about today, as well as the variable rate. The variable ratewill have an opportunity to impact low-producing wells. There will be a lower amount of royaltythat they will pay. Higher-producing wells will have a higher amount of royalty. However, as thegas depletes within the reservoir, a lesser royalty will be applied. It is a win-win situation for theinvestors and for the province, which stands to gain economic revenue but also the economic spinoffof seeing over $80 million invested in the Sussex region.That is why we are stating publicly today that, rather than just the opposition providing the ideas,we need to hear clearly what the minister is proposing as well. Could we get a clear timeline? I amhappy to hear that he is in agreement with the suggestions that we are providing, but can the ministergive a clear indication of what the department is also looking at?Hon. Mr. Ashfield: Certainly, we are not just taking the suggestions of the opposition. I said Iwould be willing to sit down and talk about the suggestions of the opposition to see what can bedone in the development of the Act and whether those suggestions could be incorporated. On thisside of the House, we are willing to work and to arrive at the best solution for the people of NewBrunswick.Mr. S. Graham: I appreciate the fact that industry has to be involved at the table as well. I knowthat the minister is going to be reaching out to the stakeholders to determine the best changes thatwill be required regarding the Oil and Natural Gas Act with the new piece of legislation comingforward.HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 3/11016 11:10The point we are raising today is that there could be a potential in some of the wells of 440 000 ft3per day of gas emanating from these wells. We have an opportunity to facilitate or reduce therefinement process as well, and we need to create an environment for investment. The minister hasagreed that this is an important issue for the province. He has also agreed that industry has to beconsulted on some of the suggestions we are providing, as well, and I feel that that is the appropriatestep. What we need today from the minister is a clear commitment on when we can possibly seelegislation introduced in this Chamber to allow the passage of this legislation with the regulatorychanges implemented, to make sure that the environment for investment is in place. Could theminister give a clear indication today of when he expects to see that legislation tabled?Hon. Mr. Ashfield: We will take our time and review the legislation in the appropriate fashion. Iam not going to make a commitment as to the time lines. We will review the Act, make thenecessary changes, and make the best changes in the best interests of the people of New Brunswick.Protection des renseignements personnelsM. Lamrock : Hier, j’ai donné l’occasion au ministre des Transports de démontrer qu’il avait suivila Loi sur la protection des renseignements personnels dans le gouvernement. Il a fait sa meilleureimpression de Marcel Marceau et a resté silencieux. Il doit dire comment un dossier dans son bureauest arrivé à l’Assemblée législative pour être utilisé par le premier ministre dans un dossier de petitepolitique.Hier, le premier ministre a dit qu’il a congédié son attaché de presse parce que le fait d’avoirdistribué un document privé sans en rayer le nom était très sérieux. Si nous sommes d’accord aveccet argument qui dit que quelqu’un doit perdre son emploi, ma question au ministre des Transportsest simple : Avant de laisser ce document sortir de son ministère, le ministre a-t-il rayé lui-mêmele nom du document? A-t-il fait la même erreur que Chisholm Pothier?L’hon. P. Robichaud : Comme le premier ministre et moi-même l’avons mentionné, une erreur aété commise par un attaché de presse. L’attaché de presse a malheureusement démissionné suite àcette erreur. Je tiens à aviser la Chambre que ni le premier ministre ni moi n’avons relâchél’information ou n’avons demandé à quiconque de relâcher l’information. Alors, je pense que ledossier est assez clair et que la réponse est assez claire également.M. Lamrock : Ce n’est pas croyable. Je suis heureux que le ministre ait retrouvé son courage aprèsune période de réflexion et qu’il puisse répondre ce matin. Ce n’est pas croyable que le ministrepuisse dire que l’attaché de presse a pu trouver le document en 10 minutes, mais qu’il n’a pas laisséle document sortir de son ministère et que le premier ministre n’a pas donné le document à l’attachéde presse. L’histoire qu’il veut vraiment apporter à l’Assemblée législative, c’est qu’un attaché depresse a pu trouver un document dans le ministère des Transports en 10 minutes sans assistance duHANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 4/11ministre qui devait le garder et sans l’assistance du premier ministre qui l’avait juste avant. Est-cequ’il veut nous faire croire cela? Ma question au ministre est la suivante : Quand il a donné ledocument pour que quelqu’un en fasse une copie, à quelle utilisation a-t-il cru que la copie servirait?Pour quelle raison a-t-il donné le document pour en faire une copie? Est-ce l’original? Commentl’attaché de presse a-t-il eu le document et pour quelle raison? C’était votre document.L’hon. P. Robichaud : Ce qui est incroyable ce matin, c’est que, après plusieurs jours, l’oppositionlibérale persiste à défendre le geste inacceptable de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi. C’est ce quiest incroyable ce matin. Après la GRC, après les Mères contre l’alcool au volant, après OpérationNez rouge, qui ont tous dénoncé le geste et l’attitude répréhensibles de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi, voilà que, encore une fois, après tous ces jours, l’opposition libérale persiste à défendrele geste de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi et à en dire du bien. C’est ce qui est répréhensible etc’est ce qui n’est pas acceptable dans le dossier.Mr. Lamrock: The minister was so concerned about it that he kept it in the Premier’s desk for overa year to wait for a political smear campaign. He chose to bring that story to the House. Onequestion, and he moves off of his story.017 11:15He said: Oh, no, I never let the document leave my ministry. The Press Secretary simply drove allthe way to the Department of Transportation, found it in 10 minutes, and brought it out without anyminister knowing. It was an immaculate conception of document by the Press Secretary. After onequestion, he is already off his story because he knows he cannot defend it. Let’s see if he really canbe honest this time. The Minister of Transportation has told us that he still has the original documentin his files, and that the Press Secretary must have somehow got it out of there.My question this morning is very simple: How many other letters, does the minister know of, hashis department provided to the Premier, or anyone in the Premier’s Office, for use in the politicalsmear file in this Legislature?L’hon. P. Robichaud : L’ironie de cette histoire, c’est que ce sont des lettres que l’on reçoit desLibéraux — ce sont des lettres que nous recevons des parlementaires libéraux —, qui non seulementnous demandent de faire des gestes graves, mais nous demandent d’intervenir dans des décisionsémises par des juges, qui nous demandent de briser la loi. Ce sont de telles gestes qui sont graves.Ce que je ne comprends pas encore ce matin, c’est que, après plusieurs jours, l’opposition libérales’acharne à vouloir défendre le geste de la députée.Vous savez, le leader de l’opposition officielle a dit : l’erreur que la députée a faite, c’est qu’elle aenvoyé la lettre au mauvais ministre ; elle aurait dû l’envoyer au ministre de la Sécurité publique,parce que là, il aurait pu faire appel pour le permis de conduire, ce qui est totalement faux.HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 5/11Peut-être que si les Libéraux reviennent au pouvoir donneront des permis de conduire à des gens quiont été reconnus coupables devant les tribunaux. Ce n’est pas notre cas et notre intention. Notreintention est de continuer à respecter les lois et les règlements de la province.Mr. S. Graham: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. If that is the story he is giving,then is this minister prepared to accept the decision of the Ombudsman? If the decision of theOmbudsman is that the minister responsible for this correspondence violated the protection ofprivate information, and if the decision of the Ombudsman is that this Act was violated and that thisminister responsible for the correspondence of private citizens breached the Act, is the ministerprepared to resign?L’hon. P. Robichaud : Comme chef de l’opposition officielle, il devrait rappeler sa députée àl’ordre et cesser de demander à des ministres de briser les lois et les règlements et d’intervenir dansle processus judiciaire de notre cour.Ce que je trouve aberrant de la part du chef de l’opposition officielle est ceci : lorsque j’ai réponduà la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi, j’ai également envoyé ma réponse au chef de l’oppositionofficielle, il y a plus d’un an et demi. Quels sont les gestes répréhensifs que le chef de l’oppositionofficielle a-t-il faits à l’égard de sa députée? Quels sont les gestes qu’il a posés pour dénoncerl’attitude de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi? C’est du jamais vu dans l’histoire de l’Assembléelégislative : un parti politique tenter de couvrir un geste si inacceptable de la part d’une députée, etcela nous en dit long sur les intentions du Parti libéral.ÉcolesMme C. Robichaud : Mes questions sont pour le ministre de l’Éducation. Comment peut-on assurerun apprentissage de qualité quand nos enseignants travaillent dans un milieu qui n’est pas trèssécuritaire. Il est primordial que nos écoles soient des milieux sécuritaires où nos enfants puissentapprendre et que nos enseignants puissent enseigner sans intimidation et sans menace de violence.Les enseignants sont inquiets par la montée du taxage, d’intimidation et de violence dans nosmilieux scolaires. Qu’a fait le ministre pour mettre en place des mécanismes pour s’assurer que nosenseignants, nos élèves et le personnel de soutien se sentent en sécurité dans nos écoles?L’hon. M. Williams : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre à la question de la député de Baie-de-Miramichi. Cette année, dans les écoles du Nouveau-Brunswick, nous allons placer 58 millions pourdes projets d’immobilisation. C’est le montant que nous investissons pour s’assurer que nos écolessont sécuritaires, qu’elles rencontrent les normes et puissent donner une éducation de qualité à nosjeunes au Nouveau-Brunswick.Je voudrais rappeler à la députée qu’elle parle à ses collègues de l’opposition. Elle verra que, en1999, leur dernier budget de capital n’était que de 18 millions.HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 6/11018 11:20Vous comprendrez que les écoles ont été négligées et qu’il y a du rattrapage à faire. Cette annéeseulement, nous investirons 58 millions de dollars dans les écoles du Nouveau-Brunswick.Mme C. Robichaud : C’est encore un chiffre que le ministre nous donne. On ne voit pas de mesuresconcrètes pour tenir compte des comportements violents et non convenables en milieu scolaire. Dansle rapport MacKay, il y a des recommandations claires concernant la violence. La recommandation74a) se lit comme suit :Que la ministre de l'Éducation approfondisse la politique relative à un milieu propice àl’apprentissage en s'engageant dans de plus vastes consultations avec les intervenants (y comprisles parents) afin d'élaborer une politique plus globale visant à répondre aux problèmes de laviolence et de l'intimidation à l'école. Ces consultations devraient être menées au plus tard deux ansaprès la publication de ce rapport, ou à un moment antérieur en fonction des possibilités.Ce ministre s’engage-t-il à suivre les recommandations du rapport avec des dates butoirs et de vraiesstratégies pour contrer la violence dans nos écoles?L’hon. M. Williams : Nous sommes très au courant, car nous parlons avec les enseignants et noustravaillons très près avec les conseils d’éducation. Nous sommes conscients de ce qui se passe dansles écoles et nous sommes très sensibles à toute la situation. Par ce fait, le ministre des Finances aannoncé cette année un budget record en éducation de 893 millions. Nous avons des investissementsimportants justement pour traiter de ces situations en éducation au Nouveau-Brunswick. Elle parledu rapport MacKay. Nous avons 5 millions. Nous allons discuter et travailler avec les intervenantspour justement élaborer un plan d’action pour s’assurer d’avoir les meilleures initiatives et lesmeilleures solutions pour donner à nos enfants la meilleure éducation possible au Nouveau-Brunswick.Mme C. Robichaud : Je n’ai pas encore entendu les recommandations ou les dates butoirs. Lerapport MacKay demande un suivi suite à la mise en place des recommandations, des dates butoirset des mesures préventives pour assurer la sécurité dans nos écoles :Une fois que les consultations ont été menées, que la ministre de l'Éducation adopte une politiqueélargie et mise à jour relative à la sécurité à l'école, en s'appuyant sur les puissants fondements dela politique actuelle. Une fois la politique rédigée, elle devrait être publiée à grande échelle dansun éventail de formats différents. Ce processus devrait être terminé au plus tard deux ans après lapublication de ce rapport.Le ministre a-t-il l’intention de suivre ces recommandations? S’engage-t-il à respecter des datesbutoirs établies dans le rapport MacKay?HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 7/11L’hon. M. Williams : Je voudrais rappeler à la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi que, au sujet durapport MacKay, un forum aura lieu les 28 et 29 mai prochain, et, avec les intervenants, nousregarderons les recommandations qui étaient dans le rapport MacKay. La députée d’en face est trèsconsciente que nous travaillons avec les intervenants. Nous ne sommes pas isolés et nousn’imposons pas à nos enseignants et nos districts… Elle devrait se rappeler que c’est l’anciengouvernement qui a éliminé et congédié les conseils scolaires. Nous les avons réintroduits et noustravaillons avec les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick. Nous avons à coeur l’éducation au Nouveau-Brunswick. Nous avons à coeur la sécurité des élèves. Je voudrais terminer en disant que nous avonstellement à coeur la sécurité de nos élèves que c’est pourquoi nous nous assurons que les personnesreconnues coupables de conduite en état d’ébriété ne sont pas sur la route quand les enfants sepromènent à l’école le jour.TourismMr. R. Boudreau: My questions this morning are for the Minister of Tourism and Parks. Accordingto a newspaper article published in the Telegraph-Journal on April 12, the Executive Director of theNew Brunswick Tourism Industry Association, Réal Robichaud, is pressing for $2 million more formarketing, arguing that the so-called passport issue is a double-whammy for New Brunswick.Would the minister confirm what the increase, if any, for marketing will be in this year’s budget?019 11:25Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: I thank the member opposite for the question, and I am very familiarwith the comments made by the member of TIANB. We have looked at this situation, have talkedwith TIANB, and have met with the stakeholders, who know our position. We have, in fact, not onlyanother $500 000 going into our marketing this year, but we also have a lot of other means andfunding coming, not necessarily from the Department of Tourism and Parks, but from othergovernment departments. I will be more than happy, from this point on, to talk about those differentareas. The RDC funding which has come through has been extremely beneficial to the department.With regard to the passport issue, we have talked to Mr. Robichaud and to the association. I canassure the member opposite that it is very, very premature to decide or have an idea of what theimpact might be, when we do not know whether or not there will in fact be a passport, or whethersome other type of identification will be used.Mr. R. Boudreau: The $500 000 for the New York market is already earmarked for a daily flightfrom Newark, New Jersey, to Moncton, through Continental Airlines, which is starting next month.My question to the minister is the following: What new initiatives, if any, have been put forward toattract the people from New York who do not fly, but who, instead, travel by car?Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: The advertising and marketing campaign of the Department ofTourism and Parks is one of which I am very proud. I have a tremendous staff, and I have atremendous group of individuals who work on this campaign yearly. When we talk about theHANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 8/11American tourists coming to Canada, there are a lot of issues faced by American tourists right now.The whole psyche of travel from the United States, not only to Canada, but around the world, hasbeen changed by such events as 9/11 and the SARS problem in Canada. They are now dealing witha war, and there are so many issues that face the American tourists at this point in time that it is verydifficult to know just exactly what approach is going to work. We are continuing to market NewBrunswick as an extraordinary destination. We believe, and have found, through our marketingcampaigns, that that approach does work. Tourists are coming to Canada and to New Brunswick.We will continue our work as a department. I have great trust in the department and in its marketing.I know that the results speak for themselves. Thank you.Mr. R. Boudreau: Madam Minister, you were cited in a newspaper article as saying that it is“premature to boost spending on marketing to the U.S.” at the same time as, as you just mentioned,an increasing number of Americans are staying away from Canada because of 9/11, fear ofterrorism, the Iraq war, SARS, and so on. There is a contradiction here. When the number of visitorsstarts to drop, one would think that government would greatly increase the marketing budget tocounter the negative trend. While other Atlantic provinces, like P.E.I., are putting forward new,innovative measures to promote their tourism industry, we in New Brunswick must contentourselves with a tired minister and a do-nothing government, which is content with passing the buckto other Canadian jurisdictions. My question is this: Why are you refusing to increase the fundingfor tourism to our province, as requested by the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick,when all the other Atlantic Provinces are increasing their marketing budgets to tap into newopportunities and new markets?Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: In the comments made in the interview with the Telegraph-Journal,I was asked whether I thought that putting more money into the marketing campaign wouldcounteract . . .(Interjections.)Mr. Speaker: Order.Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: Mr. Speaker, I would appreciate a little respect. I give it to memberson the opposite side, and I would expect to have the same respect.When the article was done, the question of whether or not putting in more marketing dollars wouldaddress the issue facing American tourists—and their lack of desire to leave their homeland—wasasked. Can I answer that that would, in fact, help? That has not been proven. It has not been proventhat putting more money into a campaign within the New York or American region is indeed goingto lure tourists to New Brunswick, or to any other destination. We have a great campaign and havemade number of contributions to different areas. As an example, last week, or last Friday, thePremier and the member for Charlotte when down and announced $450 000 for Minister’s Island.HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 9/11That is a tourist attraction that is going to boost the tourist industry in the province There have beenvery many more . . .020 11:30(Interjection).Hon. Mrs. M Alpine-Stiles: Mr. Sp ac eaker, could you please ask him to be quiet?Mr. Speaker: Members, once again, I ask that you respect the member I have recognized, please.Minister of Tourism.Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.When you are going to market a province, you have to have a product. We are improving thatproduct, with the $2.3 million in the Fundy Trail, the ACTP, $724 000; the marketing developmentfund in the Miramichi, Acadian Peninsula, and Restigouche-Chaleur area, $400 000; and $100 000for restoration at le Village historique acadien. There are numerous activities.Environmental Impact AssessmentMr. Murphy: My question is for the Minister of Environment. I hope it would be better than thesmear response by the Minister of Education, which is pure Nixonian politics—so appalling anddisgusting. My question is this: Six months ago, the environmental impact assessment was finished,and they now are awaiting the recommendation of the bureaucrats. It has been six months. If it goeson any longer, we are going to lose another year. Will the Minister of Environment tell us when wewill get an answer with regard to the recommendation that will be made to the Cabinet for the optionselected?Hon. Mr. Holder: I am not clear on what the project was. I do not think the member opposite statedthat. Maybe he can tell me what the project was.Mr. Murphy: The minister should read his files, because he knows I have been up on this manytimes. If I want an environmental impact assessment . . .(Interjection).Mr. Speaker: Order, please.Mr. Murphy: If I want something advanced on the environment, maybe I should talk to the localPC executive or Terry Andow or Brian Donaghy. If the minister does not know his files, he shouldnot be there. There has been a court order against the city of Moncton for three years to rectify theHANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 10/11dump. It is contingent upon regulatory approval by the Department of Environment. That regulatoryapproval cannot be forthcoming until they make a selection on the option and they restore the river.We want our river back. Will this minister read his files? Give us an answer right now.Hon. Mr. Holder: Now that I know what the member wants me to talk about, I can certainly answerthe question. He made the statement that the EIA process was completed. That is not true, it is notcompleted. We have compiled the recent information from public consultation last year. The EIAprocess will be completed shortly. I made it very clear in the past that we will come back with adecision on this issue . . .(Interjection).Mr. Speaker: Member for Fredericton North, order! Several times have I spoken to the Legislaturewhen I recognize a member who has the floor and that member is being shown disrespect. Members,please, when I recognize a member, please show respect. Thank you.I recognize the Minister of Environment.Hon. Mr. Holder: Once that EIA process is complete, recommendations will come to me asminister. I will take those recommendations to my caucus and to my Cabinet, and we will make adecision on it as a team at that time.Mr. Murphy: We are asking for quicker action on this matter. The minister and his colleagues havebeen able to blame the federal government, which was Liberal for many years, repeatedly about this.I know that they have a wonderful relationship now with the federal government and with the PrimeMinister, and they will all be in the company of the Prime Minister on Saturday night. I want toknow from this minister whether he will ask the federal Minister of the Environment, RonaAmbrose, to come down to the mudflats of the Petitcodiac River to see what destruction we havehad there for the past 40 years. Will he call her up and ask her to come down as soon as possible,as he did for the Saint John Harbour cleanup?Hon. Mr. Holder: I am thankful that the member opposite recognizes the great work that was donein the harbour cleanup with the Minister of the Environment and myself. I can tell you that whenI met with her, I talked about the Saint John Harbour, I talked about Marsh Creek and thecontamination there, I talked about the Petitcodiac River, and I talked about all the files across thisprovince. I am proud to do that. The next chance that I get to speak to the Minister of theEnvironment, I will remind her again that it is an important file for this province.021 11:35We are extremely committed, in this province, to our Five and Five Initiative. We are consultingwith people across this province to reduce air and water pollution over the next five years. We willHANSARD DAILY / FASCICULEApril 28, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 28 avril 2006S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\27 2006-04-28 BL\27 2006-04-28 BL.wpd 11/11continue to do that. We will continue to work with our federal counterparts, and I can tell you thatwe will be a lot more successful on the Petitcodiac with this federal government than we were withthe last one.

It looks like hot dog vendors have become enemy number one at city hall.

Prompted by Uptown Saint John, common council has agreed to raise the minimum bid for a sidewalk site this spring to $2,000, a $1,400 increase, despite the fact that most of the spots weren't even taken last year.

City staff interviewed police, the works department, Uptown Saint John, the Parking Commission and the Hardman Group about the available sites, without bothering to ask the vendors themselves.

It's clear what the intent is: suck more money into the city's coffers or put the poor vendors out of business.

Why is it that anytime someone shows some hustle and attracts some bustle, the instinct at city hall is to snuff it out?

The hot dog vendor works long hours early into the morning, attracting a little bit of life to our sleepy streets, and this is the thanks he gets?